ARU managing director and CEO, John O'Neill won the award for securing the sole hosting rights for the Rugby World Cup 2003 - an event estimated to benefit Australia to the tune of A$1bn ($590m/EUR540m).
Said a spokesman for the awards: "Since O'Neill was appointed in 1995, the Australian Rugby Union has grown the sport of rugby across a range of areas including participation, revenue, television audiences and crowds.
"In 1996 the revenue of the ARU was less than A$10m, while now it is close to A$70m and during the same period participation has grown from fewer than 100,000 players to 148,750."
